Dvalcik

Dvalcik

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In September 4 RV12s are heading to the Petit Jean flyin from PA / NJ. Below is our proposed flight path down to Petit Jean. I think we have that planned and will be heading to New Orleans for a few days on Sunday and then take 5 -7 days to return back to PA /NJ.

Its up in the air which direction or route we will return home. We are ooking for suggestions from members in the VAF community for places to stop, examples: air Museums, little airports to stop and eat/stay or other related stops to visit on our way back. We are thinking leave New Orleans heading North / East :) that’s as far as we have planned, does anybody have any recommendations on must stops as we can zig zag in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina Kentucky, and Virginia. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for your suggestions ahead of time.
 

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Nashville area opportunities

A bit east of Nashville is Tullahoma. Tullahoma has the Beechcraft museum and a few miles from there is Jack Daniels distillery. Both are quite interesting. And, the airport in Tullahoma is close-by the museum, and they have a couple of crew cars.
 
One place that every pilot needs to visit is KFFA.

My first visit there, I had a little jar that I used to collect some of the sacred dirt and take home with me to Kalifornia.
 
places to visit

David,

When returning from New Orleans:

If you are a music fan go to Graceland - time capsule of the 60's / 70's;
Go to Muscle Shoals to tour the studios where so many have recorded from all over the world.

If you are a car guy: National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green.

As always: Wright-Patterson Air Force Museum

Jon
 
Personally

I learned to fly out of Brookley field (formerly AFB), sure would like to see/tour Airbus if that is available.
 
WWII museum

New Orleans has a WWII museum. I hear it is the second most visited thing in New Orleans. I have never been there but a local artist did a sculpture for them and I saw it at wings over the rockies at the oldLowery AFB in Denver. It is a very impressive sculpture and the story of it is even more impressive. The sculpture is know as “Lest They Forget.” I think an internet search would be worthwhile before your trip. A debrief would be good if you make it there.
 
Thanks

6ato14a said:
New Orleans has a WWII museum. I hear it is the second most visited thing in New Orleans. I have never been there but a local artist did a sculpture for them and I saw it at wings over the rockies at the oldLowery AFB in Denver. It is a very impressive sculpture and the story of it is even more impressive. The sculpture is know as “Lest They Forget.” I think an internet search would be worthwhile before your trip. A debrief would be good if you make it there.
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The WWII is already on the list when we are in New Orleans also First flight on our last leg :)
 
I suggest you can combine the following on your trip to KFFA:
- W95, Okracoke Island. I recommend The Castle B&B. Park you plane at W95 and they will come pick you up.
- KTGI, Tangier Island (assuming you get there before winter). This is a step back in time and well worth exploring. A few hours there is all you need.

Carl
 
North East

David when you get to Petit Jean, please look us up, N6711, I would like to visit with you. We are planning a trip from Texas to Maine in late September. I know we want to fly the Hudson River, then to Dover, Massachusetts and finally Bar Harbor. I need more info from others, thanks.
 
texdog said:
David when you get to Petit Jean, please look us up, N6711, I would like to visit with you. We are planning a trip from Texas to Maine in late September. I know we want to fly the Hudson River, then to Dover, Massachusetts and finally Bar Harbor. I need more info from others, thanks.
Click to expand...

Will do see you in a few weeks :)
 
Visit the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola! I like the Air Force Museum in Dayton also, but the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola has done a spectacular job of staging and presentation.
 
DaveWelch said:
Visit the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola! I like the Air Force Museum in Dayton also, but the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola has done a spectacular job of staging and presentation.
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I recently learned that the National Naval Aviation Museum is closed for some reason, open only to folks with DOD identification cards. Confirm for yourself of course.
If true it really is a shame..... it really is an awesome collection. Very nice museum....better than Smithsonian Air and Space by a long shot in my opinion (as is the USAF one in Dayton as I recall)


I understand there is a good museum located at Eglin AFB or thereabouts...Destin could be a destination....
 
Blue Angels practice

The Blue Angels practice periodically at the Naval Air station in Pensacola and it's open to the public.

You can land in Patterson LA (PTN) and use the courtesy car to visit the Louisiana Aviation and Cypress Industry museum. It's a very good free museum that tells a remarkable story.

You could land at the grass strip next to DI's Cajun Restaurant (LA52), order boiled crawfish and hear some Cajun music. (Call first about the strip and what band will be playing.) There's a Stearman fly-in at the restaurant on Oct 7.

John
 
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Naval Aviation Museum and Blue Angels

The Naval Aviation Museum web page says the base is only open to DoD ID card holders and those they escort.


Update: Heard today from a guy that is a docent there. They are working on getting it back open to public, but don’t look for that until 1 Nov at earliest, if it happens.
 
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Other places

Depending on how much time you have, what the weather will allow (or diversions) , and your interests…. The following are possibilities

Charlie Hammonds private museum in Houma, La. (See inside of back cover of Sep 22 AOPA Pilot mag). Call ahead to see if tour might be available/ arranged. Charlie has a couple few stories……

Chennault museum, Monroe, La - just off from airport on access road - won’t take real long, but a nice little museum.

Just for fun - Lakefront Airport in New Orleans - you can imagine the old planes sitting on the ramp,…. Allow some time to walk through and see art work and history of the place,…and eat at the restaurant overlooking the field (hint, order dessert when you order food)

Old navy stuff, battleship USS Alabama at Mobile bay,…also old WW II submarine there … they also have some aircraft

Seymour Indiana - (freemanarmyarfieldmuseum.org) museum on field - we thought it would be a quick in and out. Turns out they were test field for foreign aircraft after WW II, until funding ran out. They then buried them. Locals took interest and have managed to dig up some pieces and parts (There is some info on the web,….you can see video of air show they had back in the day,….. bomber that flew in was later found to have live scuttling charges in wings) They do a decent job of showing what life on a training base was about. Call ahead to check on times and availability (and tell them you want to see the building with items found)
 
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North Carolina

Hello David,
Below are a few places I am aware of in North Carolina. I would suggest calling the included phone numbers to verify the information. Lots of things changed due to COVID.

Marvin

60J - Ocean Isle Beach Airport
Maria’s Pizza; Italian and Pizza; Lunch and Dinner Restaurant is 5 minute walk across the highway (910-579-3233) https://www.mariaspizzeriaoib.net

Amelia’s Grill; American Cuisine; Closed Tuesdays; Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner; Restaurant is 5 minutes walk across the highway (910-579-9200) http://www.ameliasoib.com/

Carmine’s Pizzeria & Grill; Pizza and Sandwiches; Open everyday for Lunch and Dinner; ON THE AIRPORT (910-579-0001) https://www.facebook.com/Carmines-IOB-110512823973115

W95 - Ocracoke Airport
Howard’s Pub & Raw Bar; Bar Food, Spirits and Music; Open everyday for Lunch and Dinner; 10 minute walk or call for airport pickup (252-928-4441) www.howardspub.com/Home

KTDZ - Person County Airport
Homestead Steakhouse Restaurant; Steak, Seafood and Desserts; Dinner Tuesday - Saturday; Sunday Brunch. Call restaurant for free 5 minute shuttle. (336-364-8506) www.thehomesteadsteakhousenc.com


KHKY - Hickory Regional Airport
Crosswinds Cafe; Breakfast and Lunch everyday except Sunday, ON AIRPORT (828-324-7800) www.crosswindcafe.com


KJNX - Johnston Regional Airport
The Low and Slow Smokehouse; Great BBQ restaurant serving sandwiches, burgers, salads; Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Saturday and Sunday 8AM to 8PM, Monday - Friday, Linch and Dinner 11AM to 8PM. walk through the terminal building to the 3rd floor of Blue Line Aviation (919-578-6479) www.lowandslowsmokehouse.com

5W4 - PK Airpark
PK Grill & Pub; All day breakfast and lunch; appetizers, eggs, breakfast platters, sandwiches, burgers and fixin’s; spirits. ON AIRPORT (910-904-6761) www.facebook.com/pksgrillpub

KFFA - First Flight Airport
The Colington Cafe; Short walk from the airport; open for dinner 7 days a week, 5PM to 8:30PM reservations suggested (252-480-1123) Open April through November www.colingtoncafe.com

BQ1 - Carthage NC
Pick ‘N Pig; NC BBQ, ribs, chicken,; Lunch and Dinner; Tuesday - Saturday; Sunday’s Lunch only (910-947-7591) www.pik-n-pig.com

43A - Star NC
Martha’s Grill; Breakfast and Lunch; Closed Sunday; 7 minute walk on US 220 Alt. (910-428-1417) www.facebook.com/Mathas-Grill-186781038008347


KFQD - Rutherfordton NC
57 Alpha Cafe; burgers and sandwiches; Lunch, closed Monday; ON AIRPORT (828-286-1677) www.57alpha.com

2NC0 - Burnsville NC
Orville & Wilbur’s Bar and Grill; offering casual open-air dining with outside seating and mountain views. Sandwiches, salads, house-mad soups and other entrees. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner seasonally. Call ahead for flight instructions and guest services (828-682-1578) www.mountainairnc.com
 
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